August 31st -" Let us not be rod clingers and let us be members that hold to the rod fast and continually"

Hello! Haha well to answer your questions I'm doing just fine. I've been stuffed to the max everyday. Sure feels good to get a lot of food in. Yeah so I'm low on money cause I order a lot of jollibee. The chicken and the ice cream reeses mix ins are the bomb! We live really close to an LCC supermarket over here, its just that I'm bad at budgeting and I like to eat a lot now that I have the chance. Basically the food I plan to spread out during the week gets eaten too fast haha. Man I feel like Alton has set a "standard of excellence" that I'm supposed to hit when I get home. He's been putting in a lot of good work. That's so awesome to hear that he has the chance to go to BYU next year, I really hope so! I know why he has no interest in football mom, it's because I got the last win on Madden on the PS3 hehehe

I can't believe I'm turning 19 either. A lot of people don't believe it when I tell them that I'm 18 and also when I tell them that I have no filipino in me. After showing them pictures that you guys sent and ones I've printed they want me to get fat again so they say they'll feed me and Elder Tamayo more. #Blessed .They even think you're a filipina mom, they love your fair skin, long hair and, young looking face. You're a blessed man dad haha. I'm excited for Sister Alapa to enter her mission. I've heard some things about the cavite area. All I gotta say is, I'm glad that the Lord will be on your side.

This has been a good week of work. We have improved every week so far and we have strong companionship unity. We felt good about one of our new investigators that we invited to baptism this past week. He accepted and then he suddenly asked if he will become a member if he does so. Of course that's a yes. He backed out immediately because he has drinking and smoking problems that he can't quit because it's just the way he is. He says he can't change cause that's just the way he is. I was discouraged and felt so sad inside. My companion shared with me something president Guanzon shared with him concerning people like this. He told him that we just need to give them a Book of Mormon and let the Spirit do the work. Of course the reader needs to do his part so are faith and trust is in the power of the Book of Mormon. If the Lamanites can change, anyone can. Just like Saul to Paul, and Alma and the Sons of Mosiah. I wish I could share with you my district meeting this past week about the role of the Book of Mormon but there's so much to share. Just know that I love The Book of Mormon with all I got. 

Sobrang masaya ako dito sa guinobatan at walang ibang lugar o bansa para sa akin kundi dito sa Philippines Legazpi Mission. Ito ang pinakamagandang time ng buhay ko. Ang mission, hindi siya sacripicio pero ito po ang isang "investment" o paraan para maipata ko ang pagmamahal at pagsunod ko sa Diyos. Mahal na mahal ko kayong lahat doon sa USA at yung simbahan ni Jesucristo ng mga banal sa mga huling araw ay nagiisang totoong simbahan dito sa lupa! huwag nyong makalimutan!

Sorry Mom, no pictures this week!  All the polys at the choir practice want my poly ties and asked me for them haha. They wont stop begging. Anyways can you send me some ties, not necessarily the poly ones but just ties in general, also pictures again, they're good for conversation. Also a bunch of candy and coconut oil if that teeth thing really works. Also whats your full name? Those are good for conversation. People are shocked at our families full names and then are surprised when I don't even know your full name.  

Answer to your question how we get around:  No bikes. We walk or tricey. Jeepney for really really far area which we don't have

Love,

Elder Brown

This what I taught in our District meeting:

I just shared how the Book of Mormon was written for at least 3 reasons.

1 for the convincing of the jew and the gentile that Jesus is the Christ

2 nephi writes to show that the tender mercies are over all whom the lord hath chosen because of their faith

3 moroni writes at the end that after we have received these things that we should remember or ponder how merciful the lord hath been unto the children of men since the time of adam. Basically to remember the Lord's mercy.

1. This book is definitely about christ. It has at least one verse that refer to:

Christ the creator

Christ the God of the old testament/abraham, iIaac, Jacob, iIrael. He is Jehovah.

Born of Mary

His baptism

His ministry

His Atonement

Gethsemane

Crucifixion

Resurrection

Boyd K Packer shared a similar statement like that.

2. Tender Mercies

Think about all the wonderful stories in the BOM. All the miracles and mighty changes of hearts. Think about who investigators will come to know about. Thank goodness Nephi is the very first book. Think about your favorite character or story and see the Lord's mercy in there. The sons of Mosiah, Alma, Alma the younger, Abinadi, Samuel the Lamanite, Nephi and Lehi (Helaman's sons), Helaman, Mormon, Moroni, Jacob, and more. 

3. Remember. 

Alton can attest to this. In The Infinite Atonement it touches on the power of remembering. Elder Spencer W Kimball says that if you were to look in the dictionary for the most important word it could be "remember" cause we can know how to do something and what it is, but the important thing is to remember why. The Lord says in 3 nephi 18:7 in the sacrament prayer that if we remember him we shall always have his spirit to be with us. So if an investigator or anyone reads the book of mormon and remembers all these things the lord has done they will have the spirit by the prayer of faith and through real intent and having a sincere heart. And by the power of the Holy Ghost, the spirit, ye shall know the truth of all things. There we will experience the Spirit touching our hearts and our soul and we will experience conversion.

In closing let us learn from Lehi's dream in 1 Nephi 8:24,25,28 and 30. Those who only "clung" to the rod fell away because they were ashamed after eating the fruit. Those who held fast continually fell down at the tree (it took a lot of energy and effort) and partook of it not falling away. So let us not be rod clingers and let us be members that hold to the rod fast and continually so that we will never fall away.

Tom's letter to Elder Brown and his reply to his Dad:

Thank you dad for the email. It really is hard. Sweating is something I've become really good at over here. I can definitely see why it would be weird having him back. He really has changed from what I've seen and heard. Thank you for the faith you have in me. I hate to admit it but a lot of times I have become so discouraged with where I'm at physically that I've questioned that if this is what I really want to do after my mission. I have gone as low as comparing myself as to why I can't. It's an ugly feeling but I hope that it is in the Lord's will for me to achieve such a goal that I know I can't do on my own. Other than that the work really keeps my mind off of those things. I love the time and the people and everything here.

It's good to hear your new position is good too. I like this new position. It's really fun to stretch and grow and learn a lot.

Diyos Mabalos! 

Love

Elder Brown

On Mon, Aug 31, 2015 at 12:07 PM, Tomasi Brown <tomasibrown@me.com> wrote:

Hi son,
Hope you're doing well and gaining weight.  I sure it's hard with all that sweating and walking around and the food there.

It's been weird having your brother back.  He's definitely changed. Glad to see him progress on the next phase of his life.

Well, I still know that whatever you boys want to do in your lives, that you'll be able to do it.  I've seen you set those type of goals and achieve them.  I have no doubt about your football skills if you still want to pursue that goal, I know you can play in next level.  I also know that Heavenly Father will bless you according to all your righteous desires.

So how do you like being a DL?  Lots of responsibilities right?   Sure you're learning a lot.  You're a natural leader.  You'll continue to get the inspiration you need by asking and listening and acting upon the promptings of the spirit.  Don't hesitate when you get them.

My new position is going really well.  We're real busy right now.  Hopefully it will continue.

That's it for now. Take care and keep up the good work son.

Love, Dad.